Acitelli, Linda K.2012-06-282012-06-28May 20122012-05http://hdl.handle.net/10657/ETD-UH-2012-05-309Self-presentation is a communication behavior by which we convey to others who we are (Arkin, 1981). In the context of existing relationships, it can be construed as a relationship maintenance behavior (Baumeister, 1982; Schlenker, 2003), however only little research has examined self-presentation in existing relationships. The current study examined whether type of relationship influences the extent to which a person engages in self-presentation. Two hundred and thirty participants were randomly assigned to romantic partner or friend condition and completed self-report measures. Results revealed small differences in self-presentation to romantic partners versus friends. For intrapersonal factors, an insecure attachment orientation and awareness of authenticity predicted reports of self-presentation, whereas for interpersonal factors, only predictability of partner was related to self-presentation. Furthermore, friendship-contingent self-esteem significantly moderated self-presentation to friends. These results have importance for understanding impression management and subsequent interpersonal behavior within different relationships.application/pdfengThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).Self-presentationIntimate relationshipsFriendshipsInterpersonal predictorsIntrapersonal predictorsSocial psychology2012-06-28Thesisborn digital